BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has requested for an independent probe over intricacies surrounding the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding by the National Assembly.
News Rider reports that the former Senate Deputy Leader and Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) had on Saturday March 9, granted an interview to the BBC (Hausa Service), alleging a N3.7 trillion infraction into the 2024 budget.
In order to avert further embarrassment, the Senate on Tuesday, March 12, suspended Ningi for three months and barred him from participating in all the activities of the 10th Senate.
But the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr Debo Ologunagba on Friday in Abuja, described the suspension of Ningi as a desperate move to suppress investigation, conceal and sweep the facts under the carpet.
He condemned the suspension of Senator Ningi by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the Senate without a detailed inquest into the issue of budget padding which he raised.
To this end, PDP demanded that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio should immediately step aside for an independent investigation on how a staggering N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects.
The party also requested that Akpabio should immediately report at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the pending case of alleged looting of N108 billion belonging to the people of Akwa Ibom State under his watch as Governor of the State.
The spokesperson hinted that the Senate President should speak out on the reported N86 billion contract scam in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his tenure as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Intrigues, Power Play
The Red Chamber had on Tuesday, March 12, turned into a house of commotion when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC– Ogun West) raised a point of Order, noting that he was one of those who prepared the 2024 budget and that with what has transpired in the last three days, his privileges have been tampered with.
Making reference to Order 9,10,41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 as amended, Adeola read out the authentic transcription of the interview Senator Ningi granted the BBC (Hausa Service) on Saturday March 9.
Adeola stated that Ningi had during the interview noted that the budget passed by the National Assembly for 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion while the one implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion.
Following a constitutional point of order raised by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP–Kebbi Central) that Ningi should be given a fair hearing, he (Ningi) was called up to defend the allegation.
But the Senate was thrown into further confusion when Ningi and others exposed the hidden secrets in the red chamber.
Ningi informed that the Senate does not know how much the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill was earning and the number of vehicles he has bought.
The former Senate Deputy Leader had said in the interview that: “For the first time in Nigerian history, today we are operating two different budgets. One budget approved by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu and the one implemented by the Presidency.
“The one approved by us is N25 trillion while the one operated by the Federal Government is N28 trillion.
“Apparently, we discovered that N3 trillion was inserted into the budgets without locations. This is the highest budget padding that has happened in Nigerian history under Senator Akpabio’s watch.”
“For example, it was said that there was a budget of N28 trillion but what was passed was N25 trillion. So, there is N3 trillion on top. Where are they, where is it going? So, we need to know this. There are a lot of things. We are coming up with a report and we will show the president himself and ask him if he is aware or not.
“We resolved as the people representatives to see President Tinubu on this issue, with facts and figures, to ask him if he is aware of this embarrassment or not, then from there we will take action.
“Let Nigerians be patient with us. This is a national issue, it affects all Nigerians irrespective of party, tribe or religion."
Lending his voice, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (PDP–Cross River North) lamented that senior Senators got N500 million each while he received N75 million.
Soon after the expose, the Senate suspended Ningi for three months and barred him from participating in all the activities of the 10th Senate.
The resolution of the Senate was sequel to a motion by Senator Adeola over the allegations of N3 trillion budget padding raised by Ningi.
But Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC– Ondo South) had asked the Senate to suspend Ningi for an intitial period of twelve months, a request that was seconded by Senator Edeh Dafinone (APC– Delta Central).
An additional prayer was moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC–Cross River South) that the suspension should be reduced from twelve months to six months. His motion was seconded by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP–South East, Rivers State).
However, an additional prayer for three-month suspension was raised by Senator Musa Garba Maidoki (PDP– Kebbi South) and seconded by Senator Sani Musa (APC–Niger East).
Soon after the additional prayer was put to vote by the Senator Akpabio at 3.19 pm on Friday, Senator Ningi immediately packed his heavy documents and left the hallowed Chamber.
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